UNITEDWAYEXTENDSCAMPAIGN

United Way of Douglas County organizers on Thursday were reminded why it might not be a good idea to hold a campaign victory party while several businesses still are holding drives.

"In an ideal world, all of the campaigns would be over today," said 1995-96 drive chair Larissa Johns. "Unfortunately, we planned for an ideal world."

At a victory party marking the official end of the drive Thursday, organizers announced that about 73 percent of the donor goal had been met.

Pledges so far have reached $823,515, or 74.9 percent of $1.1 million raised last year.

United Way of Douglas County organizers will announce a final drive tally on Nov. 1.

Like last year, a monetary goal was not set. Instead, organizers hope to increase the number of donations about 10 percent, from about 8,000 last year to 9,000 this year.

Several companies still are conducting drives. Others have not reported amounts to the United Way.

The campaign unofficially will continue through Oct. 31, when Riley County's United Way drive ends.

Douglas and Riley counties have challenged each other to raise more than their own donor percentages last year.

"I feel confident we will reach a great financial goal and our public goal," Johns said.

Last year, 233 corporate donations were made. So far this year, only 86 pledges have been reported.

In the professional division, 202 donations were made last year. So far, 123 donations have been made.

A crowd of about 70 people at Thursday's victory party at the Granada Theater, 1020 Mass., cheered when they heard results so far in the Douglas-Riley county challenge. Riley County had met about 30 percent of its donor goal.

As part of the contest, the losing county's elected commissioners will have to wear the colors of the winners' hometown university.